WiMAX & 4G, Markets, Global: Infonetics Research publishes a quarterly WiMAX and Outdoor Mesh Network Equipment report. It testifies to a near fourfold leap in the value of WiMAX equipment sales. New entrants such as Cisco have played their part in producing this amazing rise but Asia-Pacific (33% of the market) and EMEA (34%) rival each other for dominant region. Michael Schwartz summarises.

Infonetics Research analyst Richard Webb puts the rise in WiMAX equipment order revenue at 286% between the end of 2005 and 2006. His final figure is a whisker shy of US$550 million. Even individual quarters show massive growth: 4Q06 fixed WiMAX up 39% to US$ 180 million. Mobile WiMAX played a part, too, reaching US$45.8 million, and bringing total WiMAX up to $226.5 million in 4Q06.

Webb is clear in his analysis of last year’s boom: “2006 was a landmark year for the WiMAX industry, with service provider trials moving to service launch phase in many areas, fixed WiMAX deployments accelerating rapidly in developing countries, and mobile WiMAX products coming to market for the first time. The mobile WiMAX market in particular is showing signs of a healthy future, with the infrastructure, components, and handset ecosystem now coming together - boosted by the significant announcement by Sprint-Nextel in 2006.”

There is even a third technology-player. Cisco entered the WIMAX market but is pioneering a small but rapidly growing outdoor wireless mesh access node segment. Once again growth was over threefold - 257% to reach US$392.1 million.

And Infonetics’ tips as to the market sectors, manufacturers and geographical regions set to enjoy WiMAX? Look beyond municipalities, even if they are pushing the current demand for wireless access nodes: high double- and triple-digit unit shipment growth rates are expected right to the end of 2010.

Alvarion is the leader in fixed WiMAX equipment revenue share, followed by Redline and Airspan as of 4Q06. Tropos leads the field in outdoor mesh equipment revenue in 4Q06, followed by Strix and BelAir.

Geographically there is a rivalry for lead region: EMEA is hanging on with 34% of fixed WiMAX equipment revenue, ahead of Asia-Pacific’s 33%. North America is lying some way back in third on 18%, and Latin America is on 15%. But look to the emerging section of the Americas - Latin America’s share will touch 21% in 2010.

If you are a mobile WiMAX enthusiast it’s a little clearer:

• 42% of this revenue last year came from Asia-Pacific
• 33% from North America
• 14% from EMEA, and
• 11% from CALA.

Whatever your area of interest, WiMAX equipment worldwide is forecast to increase more than ten-fold between 2006 and 2010, when it will reach almost $5. 6 billion.

more info: www.infonetics.com